Wood carving machine



J y 1936- J. N. KIRBY ET AL 2,046,563

WOOD CARVING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1934 13 Sheets-Sheet 1 m [NVi/VTOZS 3 flaw/v A! K/Eey RAYMONQBG. GILLE y 1936. J. N. KIRBY ET AL 2,046,553

WOOD CABVI NG MACHINE Filed March 19, 1954 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 III m Fig.5 INVENTORS JULIAN N. HIRB RAvMo 0 G. 611.1.5

July 7, 1936. J. N. KIRBY ET AL WOOD CARVING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1934 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 oYE T L m? mi n ND N.. I we WM Y m N B b U Q gnaw h A TTORNEYS.

y 3 J. N. KIRBY ET AL 2,046,563

WOOD CARVING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1954 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 VIM INVENTORS JULIAN N. KIRBY QZ T MM y 1936- J. N. KIRBY ET AL 2,046,563

WOOD CARVING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1954 15 sheets sheet s INVENTORS JULIAN N. KIRBY glMoNi e. GILLE, 1

ATTORNEYS July 7, 1936. J. N. KIRBY ET AL WOOD CARVING MACHINE l3 Sheets-Shet 7 Filed March 19, 1934 53 JUL-IAN N. mRBY RAYMOND 6. GILLE Q P 3 5 up? 14 firrownrr;

1936. J. N. KIRBY ET AL 2,046,563

WOOD CARVING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1954 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 :15 m n N m m 3 M coo ll INVENTORS I JULIAN N. mnav N YMON/. GILL ATTORNE S.

July 7, 1936- J. N. KIRBY ET AL WOOD CARVI NG MACHINE Filed March 19, 1954 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 A TTOFPNEYS y 1936- J. N. KIRBY ET AL 2,046,563

WOOD GARVING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1934 13 Sheets-Sheet 10 404 :7 gill-vi 4/5 41/ INVENTORS JULIAN N. KIRBY RAYMOND 6. GILLE 15.26

ATTORNEY$ y 1, 1936. J. N. Kim ET AL 2,046,563

WOOD CARVING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1934 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 o R j v 3 {3 l 1 i N 1' I 61 r: N g Q L? m a \9 I i {R Q w \\O ca n $83 v Q\ y 3 9 E w 2 EE INvENToRs JULIAN N. KIRBY R YMOND G. GJLLE ATToRN Eye July 7, 1936.

J. N. KIRBY El AL WOOD CARVING MACHINE Filed March 19, '1934 l3 Sheets-Sheqt 13 INVENTORS 6 .lLL

JULIAN N. HIRBY YMON ATToR'NEY5 Patented July 7, 1936 PATENT orrica WOOD CARVING MACHINE Julian N. Kirby and Raymond G. Gille, St. Paul, Minn; said Gille assignor to said Kirby Application March 19, 1934, Serial No. 716,347

22 Claims. (01. 90-1s.4)

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in wood carving machines of the general type disclosed in the pending application of Julian N. Kirby, No. 339,083, filed February 11,.

An object of the present invention is to provide a wood carving machine of the multiple spindle type comprising a tool supporting bar having a plurality of spindles mounted thereon, and each adapted to support a tool, and said bar being adapted for universal movement over a suitable work supporting means or table, and provided with power operated means for relatively adjusting or moving said supporting bar with reference to the work.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wood carving machine comprising a tool-supporting bar mounted for universal movement over a work-supporting table, and having power operated means for relatively moving it with respect to the work.

A further object is to provide in combination with a'wood carving machine comprising a plurality of spindles, a suitable control means for relatively adjusting the positions, of said spindles with respect to the work supporting table, whereby the cutters supported by said spindles may be readily moved about in the Work with a minimum of labor, and whereby the workis greatly expedited. r

A further object is to provide a wood carving machine comprising a carriage mounted for traveling movement over the work supporting table of the machine and supporting a tool supporting bar, and fluid-operated means being provided in connection with said carriage and tool supporting bar, whereby they may be readily moved about over the table Without manual labor.

A further object is to provide a wood carving machine comprising a carriage having mounted thereon a tool supporting bar adapted for swinging, horizontal, and vertical movements, and a plurality of fluid operated controlelements being provided for controlling the operation of said carriage and tool supporting bar.

Otherob-jects of the invention resides in the construction of the novel power operated means provided for translating the carriage over the work-supporting table, and for horizontally and vertically moving the cutting bar with respect to said carriage; in the specific construction of the control means, whereby an operator stationed adjacent to the machine may readily control all of the movements of the too-l supporting bar by the simple manipulation of a plurality of small control elements conveniently located upon the machine; in the novel construction and arrangement of the cylinders and plungers used in the construction of the control mechanism, whereby the tools supported by the cutter or tool-supporting bar are moved or fed into the work by power operated means, said power operated means being controlled by a plurality of control elements conveniently located upon the machine; in the novel manner in which the fluid operated control means is designed and constructed, whereby the fluidoperated control means of the carriage and tool supporting bar may be controlled by the simple manipulation of a plurality of small triggers or control elements, conveniently located upon the machine; in the construction of the novel tool supporting bar mounted on the carriage and which is constructed of a plurality of interconnected sections, whereby its overall length may be varied; and, in the particular arrangement of the cylinders upon the machine frame, and, in the manner of connecting them to the arms supporting the tool supporting bar and whereby said bar may readily be moved about over the work with a minimum of labor; and, in the provision of a novel belt drive wherein four or more tool supporting spindles may be operated from a single motor, and in the general construction and arrangement of the various parts and mechanisms of the machine.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a wood carving machine showing the invention embodied in the construction thereof; 7

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, with some of the parts omitted, and showing the novel means provided for relatively adjusting the position of the tool supporting bar with respect to the work;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of a portion of the machine, showing the tool supporting bar and the manner of mounting the tool supporting spindles thereon;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a detail plan view showing the control mechanism mounted upon the tool supporting bar and whereby the tool supporting spindles or cutters may readily be guided in the work;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view showing the means for supporting the cylinder and plunger which move the cutter bar forwardly and back- Wardly over the table; 7

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 'l 'l of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is anenlarged detail sectional view on the line 88 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view on the line 99 of Figure 1, showing the connection between the piston rod and the machine frame;

Figure 10 is a detail sectional view on a larger scale, showing the construction of one of the cylinders of the fluid operated mechanism;

Figure 11 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing the means for actuating the air control valves of the cylinder for operating the cutter bar showing a portion of the cutter bar and the man-- ner of supporting the tool spindles therein;

l Figure 15 is a detail sectional plan view of one of the cutter heads, on a smaller scale, with the upper part thereof removed;

Figure 15A is a detail sectional view on the line l5A-'-I5A of Figure 14, showing the means for locking the spindles against rotation; V

Figure 16 is a plan view of a machine similar to that shown in Figure l, but showing a control means of somewhat different construction;

'Figure 17 is a vertical sectional view on the line i'l-Jl of Figure 16, showing a portion of the machine and the novel manner of mounting thereon, the fluid operated control means for moving the cutter bar in forward and backward positions; f

Figure 18 is an enlarged detail sectional plan view on the line 88-48 of Figure 17; V Figure 19 is a detail sectional view on the line iii-i9 of Figure 18;

Figure 20 is a detail sectional 28-23 of Figures 18 and 21;

' Figure 21 a detail sectional View on the line 2 l'-2l of Figure 19;

' Figure 22 is a view showing a portion of the tool supporting bar; t I I Figure 23 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 23-23 of Figure 22, showing the preferred construction of the valvefmechanism for controlling the backward and forward movements of the cylinder;

Figure 24is a detail sectional view on the line 24 23 of Figure 22;

Figure 25 is a detail sectional view on the line 2525 of Figure 24; 1 Figure 26 is a detail sectional view on the line 262E of Figure 24;

Figure 27 is a detail sectionalview showing the means for controlling opening of the valves shown in Figure 23; V

Figure; 28 is a detail sectional view on the, line 2828 of Figure 2'7; t I

Figure 29 is a diagrammatic view showing the view on the line connections between the valves and cylinders used in the construction shown in Figures 16 and 17;

Figure 30 is an enlarged detail sectional view;

Figure 31 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 3l-3l of Figure 29;

Figure 32 is a detail sectional view on the line 3232 of Figure 29;

Figure 33 is a detail sectional view on the line 33-33 of Figure 34, showinga unique drive for the spindles; and v Figure 34 is a plan view of Figure 33.

Main frame 1 In the selected embodiment of the invention here shown, there is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, for purposes of disclosure, 2, portion of a wood carving machine, such as the one disclosed in the pending application, hereinbefore mentioned, comprising a main frame structure including end members 2, and front and rear supporting beams l2 and I3, upon which a work-supporting table, preferably composed of a plurality of removable sections 1, is supported. The beams 12 and I3 are adapted for vertical and horizontal adjustments by suitable means, not shownr The lower portion of the machine is substantially the same as that shown and described in the pending application, "above referred to,- and it is therefore thought unnecessary to herein show and describe the same in detail. The present invention relates primarily to the construction of the upper portion of the machine including the tool supporting bar, the power 'means for operating the carriage, and the spindle drive.

Tool supporting bar The tool supporting bar, generallyindicated by the numeral 20', is supported by a plurality of spaced arms pivotally supported'upona tubular member 55 disposed-lengthwise of the machine, and having flanged wheels 6! at its'ends adapted to travel onsuitable rails-or tracks 69, secured to the upstanding frame portions 3 of the mainframe of the machine, as best shown in Fig-' ure 2. 'The tubular member '55, arms 95, and tool supporting bar 20, are thus operatively'connected'together, and for the purpose of explanation,- will hereinafter be referred'to as the carriage; Certain of the arms '95 may be provided with rearwardly extending rods I28 adapted to support suitable counter weights I21. These counterweights are-used when'it is found necessary to provide additional means for counterbalancing the weight of the tool-supporting bar 20 at the front of the carriage.

' The carriage ismounted for forward and backward movement over the table 7, and the cutter bar is adapted for horizontal and vertical movements with respect thereto, the pivotal connections of the arms 95 with the tubular member 55 permitting the cutter bar to be moved lengthwise of .the table, and by rocking the member 55 about its axis, the cutter bar is moved vertically. It will. thus be seen that the tool supporting bar is mounted for universal movement over the table.

Animportant feature of this invention resides portionllll having oppositely extending cylindrical extensions 203' secured inthe ends of tubular connectors. 2 04,.whereby theeutter heads and said connectors are secured together as a unit, and thus cooperate to provide the cutter bar, hereinbefore mentioned. Suitable pins 295 fixedly secure the cylindrical extensions 293 in the ends of the tubular connectors 204. The body portion 29 or" each cutter head is open at its rear side, as best shown at 296 in Figure 15, and its lower wall has a threaded aperture 298 adapted to receive a bearing cup 299, shown having an antifriction bearing 2| mounted therein. This bearing supports a tool spindle 2!2, the lower end of which is provided with a suitable chuck 2l3 adapted to receive a suitable tool 2, as shown in Figure 14. The inner race of the bearing 2!! is clamped between an annular fiange 2 5, provided upon the spindle 2!2, and a lock nut Zlfi received in threaded engagement with the spindle. A member 99 is received in threaded engagement with the walls of the bearing cup 299 and removably secures the bearing 2! therein.

The upper end of the spindle 2!2 is supported in a suitable bearing 2H, mounted in a cup 22!, and is secured therein by a suitable nut 222. A thrust plug 2E8 is received in threaded engagement with the nut 222, and has its lowering end engaging the adjacent end of the spindle 252, to thereby take the thrust which may be exerted against the spindle. The cup 22! has a depending cylindrical portion 223 fitting in an aperture 224 in the upper wall of the body portion 29!, thereby to axially aline the upper bearing 2!! with the lower bearing 2! l. The cap 22! is shown secured to the body portion 29! by suitable bolts A flanged pulley 225 is suitably secured to the spindle 2!2 within the body portion 29!, and is adapted to receive a belt 221, which, in Figure 16, is shown having a running connection with a suitable belt tightener 228 and a drive motor 229. The motor 229 is shown supported upon brackets 23!, pivotally secured to the rear end portions of the arms 95, as best shown in Figure 1, whereby the weight of the motor 229 acts to counterbalance a portion of the weight of the cutter bar 29.

The cutter bar, as hereinbefore stated, is pivotally supported on the arms 95, and to thus support the cutter bar, suitable collars 232 are secured to certain of the connectors 294, as best shown in Figures 2 and 14. The collars 232 are preferably split, as shown in Figure 2, whereby they may be securely clamped to their respective connectors by suitable bolts 233. Annular rings 23 3 are secured to the connectors adjacent to the collars 232, by such means as set screws 235, to prevent longitudinal movement of the cutter bar with respect to the arms 95. 1

Each collar 232 is shown provided with conical depressions 236 diametrically disposed and adapted to receive the terminals of pivot screws 23'! received in threaded engagement with the end portions of forks 238, shown integrally formed with the forward ends of the arms 95, as best shown in Figure 2. The pivot screws 23! are adjustably supported in the forks 238 and are secured in adjusted positions by suitable lock nuts 239. Bythus supporting the cutter bar upon the arms 95, it is adapted for pivotal movement with respect thereto and it may also be relatively adjusted to vertically position the spindles 2!2, by

simply loosening the bolt 233, whereby the cutter bar may be relatively rotated in the collars 232. When in operation, the collars 232 are fixedly secured to their respective connectors 294, so that the spindles are retained in a substantially vertical position, or the collars 232 may be left loose on the connectors 294, so that the spindles can be tilted in a forward or backward direction to allow for under cutting. It is also to be noted that the cutter bar may be quickly detached from the supporting arms by simply loosening the pivot screws 23'! and removing the belts 22'! from their respective pulleys 226.

By constructing the cutter bar 29, as above described, the spacing between the cutter heads may be varied by simply changing the connectors 204 between adjacent cutter heads. In other words, if the cutter bar is to be used on a machine wherein the cutter heads are to be spaced relatively close together, shorter connectors are used between the cutter heads and, conversely, when the cutter bar is to be used on a machine in which the spindles are to be spaced apart relatively greater distances, longer connectors are used between adjacent cutter heads. It is also to be noted that all of the cutter heads of the cutter bar are identical in construction, which simplifies the manufacture of the apparatus.

The upper wall 240 of the body portion of each cutter head, hereinbefore stated, is provided with an aperture 224 which receives the cylin-' drical extensions 223 of the caps 22!, and each wall 249 is provided with a slot 24! at its rear portion which communicates with the aperture 229, as best shown in Figure 15. The slots 24! provide clearance for the belts 22'! whereby they may readily be removed from the pulleys 226, when the caps 22! are detached from their respective cutter heads 20!, as clearly shown in Figure 15. This is important in a structure of this character in that it permits the endless belts to be readily attached for repairs or replacement without opening or separating the connected ends of the belt.

When changing tools 2M in the chucks 2l3 of the spindles, it is desirable that means be provided for locking the spindle against rotation during the operation of thus changing the tools. This is accomplished by means of a locking device, generally indicated by the numeral 292, in. Figures 1, 14, 15, 15A, and 34, and comprises a suitable housing 243, shown detachably secured to each cutter head by bolts 244. A locking bolt 245 is mounted in each housing 243. The terminals 24B of these locking bolts are adapted to engage recesses 24'! provided in the spindles 2 l2, as shown in Figure 15A. The locking bolts 245 have heads 258 whereby they may be conveniently manipulated. Suitable means such as indicated at 299 in Figure 15A, are provided for securing the locking bolts 295 in inoperative position.

In machines of the type herein disclosed, it is essential that the axis of the cutter bar is always maintained parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the machine frame 01', in other words, to the supporting beams !2 and !3 upon which the table is mounted. To thus guide the cutter bar, an equalizer bar 25! is mounted in suitable bearings secured to the upright frame portions of the main frame. Suitable screws 89 engage the terminals of the equalizer bar 25! to prevent it from moving longitudinally in its bearings. A pair of depending arms 252 are fixedly secured to the equalizer bar and have links 253 connecting the lower ends thereof to the tubular member 55 of the carriage, as best shown in Figure 2. By thus connecting the tubular member to the equalizer 7 Three cylinder control Another important feature of this invention resides in the means provided whereby the carriage may be operated by power, when desired. Wood carving machines comprising a large number of spindles are often difiicult to handle manually, especially if the spindles are equipped with large roughing'cutters. When such cutters are used on a multiple spindle machine, considerable pressure must be applied to the follower 254, shown in Figures 2, 3, and 17, to hold it firmly against the pattern 300, indicated in dotted lines in. Figure 17. It is well Lmderstood that to insure uniform and accurate work, the follower must be held firmly against the guiding surface of the pattern 38!! in order that every piece of work being operated upon will be identically shaped or formed in accordance with the pattern, when finished; To thus manually hold the tracer or follower against the guiding surfaces of the pattern is usually very tiring, whereby the operator must stop at intervals to rest before he can proceed further with the work. This naturally retards the work with a resultant increase in the cost of production.

To overcome this objection, there is provided means whereby the actual work of moving the cutter bar may be accomplished by power, so that the operator need only guide the tracer or follower 254 over the pattern, the work or energy required to'force the cutting elements into the work being done entirely by power. By thus relieving the operator of the manual labor of forcing the cutting elements into the work, greatly cxpedites the operation, with a corresponding decrease in the cost of production.

To thus operate the carriage by power, there is shown in Figures 1 and 2, a mechanism comprising a plurality of cylinders, A, B, and C. The cylinder A is shown provided with suitable heads 255 and 256 secured to the ends thereof by suitable screw threads. Thehead 255 of the cylinder A is secured to a frame 251 by a suitable bracket 258. The frame 251 has a pair of flanged rollers 259 which travel between spaced rails 25! and 262, fixedly secured to a pair of angle irons 263 and 264 secured to the upper frame portions 3 of the main frame. The spaced rails Ziil and.

262 extend rearwardly of the frame member 254, and a bracket 265 is shown secured to the rail 261 to which one end of a piston rod 266 is connected. The piston rod 256 traverses a packing gland 261 in the cylinder head 2%, and has a suitable piston 258 secured to-.the inner end thereof which is mounted for reciprocalmovement within the cylinder A. r

1 The movable frame 251 has a depending portion 269 pivotally connected to the tubular member 55 of the carriage by means of a link 210, whereby when the cylinder A is moved with respect to the piston rod 266., the carriage will also be moved backwardly and forwardly with respect to the table, as will be readily understood by reference to Figure 2. It is also to be understood that the piston rod is mounted in fixed relationto the table so that when a suitable pressure fluid is released from one side of the piston in cylinder A, said cylinder will move with respect to the piston rod and thereby cause a corresponding movement to be imparted to the carriage.

The cylinder B provides means for moving the cutter bar lengthwise of the table or at right angles to the traveling movement of the carriage.

This cylinder'isprovided at its ends. with; suitable heads 212 and 213, the latter being pivotally connected at 21 3 to the forward ends of a pair of diverging arms 215 and 216, The forward ends of the arms 215 and 216 are suitably secured together by bolts 211, as *best shown in Figures 2 and 3. The arms 215 and 216 have their rear ends secured in fixed relation to the tubular member 55 of the carriage, whereby they become, "in effect,

a component part thereof. As shown in Figure 2,.

riage. Thus, when the piston 282 islreciprocated within the cylinder B, the cutter bar will be moved in a direction lengthwise of the table, because of the cylinder being supported in .fixed relation to the tubular member 55 of the carriage by means of the diverging arms 215 and 216. v

Vertical movement is imparted to the cutter bar by the cylinder 0. This cylinder is provided at its ends with suitable heads 286 and 281 and has a piston 288 mounted therein. A piston rod 239 has one end secured to the piston 288 and is slidably supported in a guide 29! provided in the cylinder head 281. The opposite end of this piston rod 289 is pivotally connected to the forward ends of the diverging arms 215and 216, as indicated at 292 in Figure 2. The upper end of the cylinder C is pivotally connected to the movable frame 251, to which the cylinder A is secured by such means as a bracket 293. It will thus be seen that the cylinder C is supported upon the movable frame 251 and travels backwardly and forwardly with the cylinder A when the carriage is thus moved.

Air control means Another important feature of this invention resides in the unique manner of controlling the flow of air to and from the various cylinders to operate the pistons thereof. In a wood carving machine, it is very essential that the; cutter bar beso supported that it cannot chatter, when'the cutting elements are fed into the work. The power operated control means, herein disclosed, is so con structed that the cutter bar is constantly supported in all directions by fluid pressure, whereby it is firmly held so that when the cutting elements are fed into the work, they cannot chatter, with the result'that a smooth out is obtained.

7 To thus support the cutter bar, each end of each cylinder is constantly in direct communication with a pressure fluid such as compressed air, which may be regulated or varied by a suitable pressure'regu'lator of ordinary construction, generally indicated by the numeral 294 in' Figure 13.

A, and has an annular groove 303 in its periphery communicating with a threaded socket 304 provided at the inner end of the plug 302 by means of a transverse air duct 305. A nozzle 306 having an intake orifice 301, is secured in the socket 304 whereby the orifice 301 communicates with the annular groove 303 provided in the periphery of the plug. The groove 303 is in direct communication with the air passage provided in the branch fitting 298, whereby air under pressure is delivered to the forward end of thecylinder through the restricted orifice 301.

A pipe 308 connects the branch fitting 298 to a fitting 309 suitably secured to the cylinder head 256. A similar plug 302 is mounted in the fitting 309 and has an intake orifice 311 therein which establishes communication between the interior of the opposite end of the cylinder and-the pipe 398. The plug 392 secured in the cylinder head 256, is identical in construction to the plug shown in the cylinder head 255, which is shown in detail in Figure 12, and it will therefore be referred to by like numerals By thus connecting the opposite ends of the cylinder with the fitting 298, the air pressure exerted against the opposite sides of the piston 268 will be equalized, whereby the piston will be positively held against movement. Exhaust orifices 312 and 313 are provided in similar plugs 302 secured to'the cylinder heads 255 and 256, as shown. The exhaust orifice 312 communicates with one end of a pipe 314, the opposite end of which is connected to a small housing 315 of a control device, generally indicated by the numeral 316. The housing 315 of'the control device 316 has a spring-actuated exhaust valve 320 mounted therein which normally closes an exhaust port 311, as shown in-Figure 13. The exhaust orifice 313 at the opposite end of the cylinder A has a pipe 318 connecting it with a similar housing 319 of the control device 316. This latter housing 319 similarly contains an exhaust valve 321 normally closing an exhaust port 322. The housings 315 and 319 are supported in a suitable supporting structure 323 suitably secured to one of the connectors 294 of the cutter bar, as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5.

The cylinder B is provided at one end with an intake orifice 324 provided in a plug 302 and communicating with a pipe 299 by means of a suitable fitting 325. A pipe 326 connects the fitting 325 with a fitting 321 at the opposite end of the cylinder. This latter fitting 321 has a similar plug 332 secured therein and provided with an intake orifice 328 which communicates with the pipe 326. It will thus be seen that air under pressure is supplied to' both ends of the cylinder B, whereby the pressureagainst the opposite sides of the piston 282 is equalized, as in the piston A. Exhaust orifices 329 and 331 are provided in similar plugs 302 and communicate with pipes 332 and 333, respectively. The pipe 332 is connected to a similar housing 334 having an exhaust valve 335 mounted therein and normally closing an exhaust port 336. The pipe 333 is similarly connected to a housing 331 having a spring-actuated exhaust valve, 338 connected therein and normally closing an exhaust port 339.

The stems of the exhaust valves 320, 321, 335, and 338 project beyond the adjacent ends of their respective housings, as clearly illustrated in Figures 4 and 13, and are adapted to be actuated by the lower end of a lever 34 I mounted for pivotal movement in a member 342 which, in turn, is adapted for rocking movement in the supporting structure 323, as best shown in Figure 4. By thus supporting the lever 341, it may be selectively oscillated to actuate or open any one of the exhaust valves 320, 321, 335, and 338, as will readily be understood by reference to Figures 4 and 13. The lever may also be operated so as to simultaneously actuate two of said valves at a time.

The cylinder C which provides the power for vertically adjusting the cutter bar is provided at its upper end with a fitting 343, having a plug 302 mounted therein and provided with a suitable intake orifice 344. One end of the pipe 301 leading from the branch 298 of the cylinder A is connected to the fitting 343 and communicates with the intake orifice 344. A similar fitting 345 is secured to the lower head 281 of the cylinder C and has a similar plug 392 secured therein having an intake orifice 346 which communicates with a pipe 341, one end of which is in communication with the supply pipe 301. Thus, both ends of the cylinder 0 are in direct communication with the air supply whereby the pressure is equalized on both sides of the piston 288 thereof, as in the cylinders A and B.

Exhaust ports 348 and 349 are also provided in the cylinder heads 286 and 281, respectively, and communicate With pipes 351 and 352, which communicate with housings 353 and 354, having exhaust valves 355 and 356 mounted therein. These exhaust valves normally close a pair of exhaust ports 351 and 358.

The housings 353 and 354 are secured to a suitable bracket 368 shown secured to a collar 350 which supports the tracer or follower 254. The stems of the exhaust valves 355 and 356 extend beyond the inner ends of their respective housings, and are spaced apart to receive therebetween an actuating finger 359, shown provided upon an operating member 361 slidably mounted in the bracket 360. When the operating member 361 is moved in one direction, the exhaust valve 355 is opened, and when moved in the opposite direction, the exhaust valve 356 is opened. The operating member is normally retained in its neutral position, shown in Figure 11.

The control lever 341 and the control member 361 are so mounted upon the cutter bar that they may be conveniently manipulated by an operator standing in front of the machine. The control member 361 is preferably disposed directly back of the follower 254, and is provided at its lower end with an eye 362 adapted to receive the forefinger of the operators right hand, while he grasps the shank of the follower 254 with the same hand. The operators left hand will manipulate the control lever 341.

It will thus be seen that in the operationof the machine, the operator controls the movement of the follower or tracer 254 by manipulation of the control lever 341 so as to cause it to closely follow the contour of the pattern, whereby the actual work or power required to move the cutter, bar is accomplished entirely by power. In operation, however, the operator usually grasps the shank of the follower with his right hand.

The control lever 341, as a result of its universal mounting in the bracket or supporting member 323, is so arranged that any one of the four valves shown in Figure 13 may be operated at will or if desired, two of said valves may be simultaneously actuated by tilting the lever 341 in certaindirections. Thus, it will be seen that the cutter bar may be conveniently moved about at will by the simple manipulation of the control lever 341. v

The operating means for the cutter bar is very sensitive because of the pistons of the various cylinders always being supported at opposite sides by the pressure fiuid. Movement of the pistons is brought about by releasing the pressure from one end of the cylinder, whereby the pressure at the opposite side of the piston will cause it to move towards that end of 'the cylinder from which the pressure fluid is being released. The air is delivered'into the cylinders through the restricted or metered intake orifices 391, 3, 324, 328, 344 and 346, provided in the intake nozzles 306. These passages or orifices are of a predetermined size so that the pressure fluid 'is delivered to the cylinders in a metered or measured flow. The exhaust orifices 312, 313, 323, 331, 348, and 349, provided in the nozzles 386, are relatively larger than the intake orifices so that the air may discharge from the cylinders faster than it is being supplied thereto, whereby the pistons travel at a constant speed, when the exhaust valves thereof are opened, which speed is controlled by the size of the intake orifices.

An important feature of the control mechanism resides in the fact that the various pistons are actuated by releasing pressure from the cylinders, which provides a more sensitive control than if the air was supplied to only one end of the cylinder against the piston and released from the same end, as is common practice. As hereinbefore stated, the pressure of the air inthe cylinder is equal on both sides of the piston, because of the fact that both ends of each piston are in direct communication with the supply source, and the pressure in said cylinders is controlled by the adjustment of the pressure regulator 294 which may be adjusted to any predetermined pressure desired, as is well'known.

The nozzles 386, four of which are shown provided 'on each cylinder, may readily be interchanged by simply removing the plugs 382 from their respective cylinder heads, after which the nozzles may readily be detached fromsaid plugs and others substituted therefor. The sizes of the orifices in the intake nozzles may vary in the different cylinders, as said sizes are determined by the speed of movement desired for the respective pistons. For example, it may be found desirable that the vertical movement of the cutter bar be relatively faster than the horizontal movement or travel thereof. This may readily be accomplished by simply substituting nozzles 386 in the plugs 362 of the cylinder'C having slightly larger orifices. In like manner, the nozzles provided in the cylinders A and B may be interchanged so that the pistons thereof may operate at the desired predetermined speed.

It is also to be understood that the control lever 341 is so mounted that when actuated, it is always moved in the direction in which it is desired to move the cutter bar. In other words, if the cutter bar is to be moved forwardly or in a direction towards the operator, the lever 341 is swung forwardly or towards the operator and, conversely, if the cutter bar is to be moved in a rearward direction, the lever 341 is swung rearwardly. In like manner, to move the cutter bar to the left, the lever 341 is swung to the left, and when the cutter bar is to be moved to the right,

true with the operating member 361, which is so related to the valves 355 and 356, that when said member is moved upwardly, the cutter bar will move-upward, and'when pulled downwardly, the cutter bar will move downward. V

' Two cylinder control As shown in Figure 16, a pair of cylinders D are provided, one at each end of the machine, and have their, forward ends pivotally connected to suitablebrackets 363, secured to the longie tudinally extending frame members 263 and 264. As'the cylinders D and their associated parts are of like construction, but one will be described in detail.

A head 364 is secured to the front end of the cylinder, as shown in Figure 29, and has a forked bracket 365 fixed thereto,'which is pivotally connected to'the bracket 363, as shown at 366. A piston head 361 is secured to the opposite end of the cylinder D and has a guide 368 therein for a piston rod 369, to the inner end of which is secured a piston 311. The opposite end of the piston rod is pivotally connected at 312 team arm 313, having a split hub 314 rotatably fitting a bearing sleeve 315 suitably secured to the equal izer bar 251 by such means as set screws 316, as shown in' Figure 18. The bearing sleeve 315 has a shoulder 311 at one end and has its opposite end fitting into a bracket 318 which is secured to the longitudinally extending frame member 264, and which bracket secures the equalizer bar 251 in the position shown in Figure 1'7.

The hub 314 of the arm 313 is fitted between the shoulder 311 and the one end of the'bracket 318, as best shown in Figure 18, whereby the :hub

314 of the arm 313 is held against longitudinal movement upon the bearing sleeve 315.

The hub 314 of the arm 313 is normally free to rotate upon the bearing sleeve 315, but is provided with means for locking it thereto, so that when the arm 313 is oscillated, rotary movement will be imparted to the equalizer bar 251. V r

The means for thus locking the hub'314 to the sleeve 315 of the equalizer bar, is best shown in Figures 19, 21, 29, and 30, and comprises a cam element 319 provided at its ends with pivots 381 and 382 adapted to be pivotally supported in suitable bearings provided in the heads 383 and a pair of bolts 384, mounted in suitable apertures provided in spaced lugs or flanges 385 provided side whereby it may be contracted or expanded.

The cam 319, when rotated in one direction,.will force the flanges 385 together and thereby contract the hub so as to cause it to frictionally grip or clamp the sleeve 315, whereby the arm 313 becomes temporarily secured to the equalizer bar so that when the arm 313 is oscillated, rotary movement is imparted to the equalizer bar, whereby the arms 252 are correspondingly oscillated to thereby effect movement of the carriage in a forward or rearward direction. V

The means provided for operating the cam element 319 is best shown in Figure 29, and comprises a cylinder E having heads 381 and 388 secured to the ends thereof. The head 381 is pivotally connected to a post orbracket 389 proided upon the arm 313. A piston 39! is reciprocally mounted within the cylinder E and has a piston rod 392 guidingly supported in the cylinder head 388, the outer end of which is pivotally connected to an arm 393 secured to the cam element 349. In Figure 29, the piston 39! is shown in an operative position, wherein the cam element 319 is actuated to secure the hub 314 to the sleeve 3'45. When the piston is moved upwardly, the cam 319 allows the hub 314 to expand, whereby its grip upon the sleeve 315 is released.

Control means In the drawings, the pistons of the cylinders D and E are shown as being operated by air pressure. To thus operate the piston 3H of cylinder D, pipes 394 and 395 are connected to the opposite ends of the cylinder and to a pair of valve chambers 396 and 391, respectively. These valve chambers are formed in suitable housings 398 and 399, respectively, having pipes 49! connecting the upper ends'thereof to a header 492, whereby communication is established between the header 492 and the valve chambers 396 and 391. Air under pressure is supplied to the header 492 from a pipe 493, connected to a pressure regulator 294, similar to the one shown in Figure 13, and to which air is supplied by the pipe 295.

Valves, gen rally indicated by the numerals 494 and 495, are mounted in the valve chambers 396 and 391, as shown in Figures 23 and 29. The valve chambers 396 and 391 are provided with lower portions 496 and 49'! separated from the upper portions thereof by conical valve seats 498, each terminating at its lower end in a cylindrical bore 499. The lower valve chambers 496 and 491 are provided with exhaust ports 4| l and 4 l 2, open to the atmosphere. 7

Each valve 494 and 405 has a conical head 453 adapted to engage the valve seats 498. A cylindrical portion M4 is provided directly below each valve head 4E3 and fit the bores 499. Below the cylindrical portions 444 of each valve, there is provided a tapered portion 4l5, which is relatively smaller in diameter. than the bore 499 so that when one of the valves 494 or 495 are moved upwardly, as shown in Figure 23, an annular gap is provided between the walls of the bore. 409 and the periphery of the tapered portion 4l5 of the valve 495, which gap gradually increases in size as the valve is moved upwardly to the position shown at the right hand side of Figure 23. When the valve 495 is thus positioned, the air pressure is released from the upper end of the cylinder D, and escapes through the exhaust port 4l2 which is then open.

Each valve 494 and 495 is further provided at its upper end with a head 416 adapted to be received in bores 4H provided in the housings 398 and 399. The bores 4!! communicate with the pipes 41H, leading to the distributor head 402, as indicated in Figure 29. The heads MS of the valves fit the bores 417 so that when one of the valves is moved upwardly, and its head 4H5 enters its respective bore 4 l l, the supply of air from the distributor head to the valve thus actuated is out off, whereby the air may be released from the end of the cylinder D associated directly therewith, without discharging iresh air to the atmosphere. Suitable springs 419 normally hold the valves 404 and 495 in their normal closed positions, as shown in Figure 29.

The housings 398 and 399 are supported in a bracket 4 I 9, which is secured to one of the tubular connectors 294 of the cutter bar 29, as best shown in Figures 22 and 23. The stems of the valves 494 and 405 project below their housings 398 and 399, and are adapted to be engaged by a rocker 42l mounted upon a shaft 422 provided with a suitable operating handle 423, shown in Figure 22. The rocker 42! is normally in its neutral position, as shown in Figure 29, and is adapted to be rocked by manipulation of the handle 423, to thereby alternately engage the valve stems and actuate the valves, as clearly illustrated in Figure 23.

As hereinbefore stated, the construction of the valves 494 and 495, and their respective valve seats, is such that before one of the chambers 396 and 39'! can be opened to the atmosphere, the head MB of the valve which is being opened, will enter the bore 4!! thereof and out off the supply of fresh air to said chamber, after which the cylindrical portion 4l4 of the valve which is opened, will move out of engagement with the cylindrical bore 499. When the valve portion 4 l 4 thus moves out of the cylindrical bore 409, communication is established between the upper and lower chambers of the valve with the result that the air delivered to the valve chamber of the open valve, from one end of the cylinder D, will escape to the atmosphere. Such release of the air from the cylinder will cause the piston 3' to move in one direction, as a result of the air pressure impinging against the opposite end of the piston. This results because the other valve which remains engaged with its seat 498, permits free circulation of air through the bore 4!! thereof, and the air chamber 396 communicating therewith, as a result of its head 4E6 being positioned below the bore 4H, as clearly shown in Figure 29. Also, by reason of the portion MS of each valve being tapered, as above described, the discharging of the air from the'cylinder D may be accurately controlled.

Means is provided for limiting the movement of the rocker 42! so that the valve lever 423, when swung the limit of its movement in either direction, will permit the air to discharge from either end of the cylinder D at only a predetermined fiow. In other words, said limiting means may be so adjusted that the air will discharge very slowly from the cylinder, or it may be positioned so that the air will quickly discharge therefrom, whereby the speed of travel of the piston 3' may be controlled at will.

The adjusting means, above referred to, is best shown in Figures 27 and 28, and comprises an abutment element 424 adapted to engage a vertically adjustable stop 425, slidably mounted in a guide 426 and having an adjusting screw 42'! secured thereto. By rotating the adjusting screw 421, the stop 425 is raised or lowered with respect to the element 424, whereby the swinging movement of said element may be varied. By thus varying the swinging movement of the element 424, the swinging or rocking movement of the rocker 42l will be correspondingly varied to thereby vary the degree of opening of the valves 494 and 405.

The means provided for operating the piston 39! of the cylinder E consists of a valve mechanism, generally indicated by the numeral 428 in Figures 24 and 25. This valve mechanism comprises a casing 429 having a conical bore 431 adapted to receive a rotor 432, shown retained in the bore 43! by means of a screw 433 received in threaded engagement with the stem 434 provided on the rotor 432. The casing 429 is shown having a threaded extension 430 received in an aper- 

